[Masha Richart]

I am going to be teaching a learn-to-use-your-sewing-machine class in a couple of months. I need to think of a good beginner project that is not TOO simple and will appeal to a range of people. I was looking at the mother-daughter tote bag in the free patterns section and thought that might be a good one – all straight seams, and everyone can use a tote bag, right? Any other ideas?

[Tamara]

Other than a bag, maybe a cushion cover, pillow slip or maybe an apron? You could even get them to make a simple pencil case to hold their sewing notions in. That way they can learn to add some sort of closure, be it a snap or zipper.

[Maggie]

I think the tote bag would be a great basic project. It could be made in stripes or as a solid. The lining could have a zippered pocket for the more ambitious.